The Youth and Justice Research Group unites interdisciplinary expertise to explore the experiences, rights, and safety of young people as they participate in and are governed by critical social services. This theme deeply considers the experiences of populations who experience vulnerability and marginalisation and need to be safe in and equitably access the justice, health, community and education systems. Central to this program is young people’s ability to know their rights within and participate in democratic society. Our research spans areas of identity, diversity, and trauma, addressing critical societal challenges at the intersection of youth, justice, education, health, housing, human rights and safety.
The group employs quantitative, qualitative, participatory, and child-centred methodologies, fostering collaboration between young people, researchers, educators, policymakers, and practitioners. By bridging theoretical frameworks with real-world practice, this group aims to amplify the perspectives, experiences and insights of young people, and contribute to justice-informed, socially responsive systems of policy, justice, education, health, housing, food and community support. The Youth and Justice Program is committed to driving meaningful change by addressing the diverse challenges faced by young people and fostering a society where all young people feel safe, valued, heard, and a sense of belonging.
The objectives of this program are to:
- Advance understanding of how young people experience, navigate and can contribute to social service systems
- Generate transformative evidence about institutional responses to the vulnerability and marginalisation experienced by many groups of young people
- Develop frameworks and other mechanisms through which more equitable and responsive social service systems can be designed in collaboration with young people
